By: Haddy Touray
Minister of defense Serign Modou Njie has lamented that TheGambia and neighbouring countries have been experiencing anupward spiral in illicit drug seizures, explaining that the trends showed the changing dynamics of illicit abuse and trafficking.
Currently overseeing the interior ministry, the defense minister further explained that The Gambia and other West African countries “are witnessing increasing seizures of cocaine in transit, controlled drugs like methamphetamine, tramadol, and varying strains of Cannabis such as “Kush” and Skunk.
“This shows the changing trend of the abuse, dealing, and trafficking of illicit drugs, which have serious consequences on the health and well-being of our people,” the defense minister pointed out in a statement, marking World Drug Day yesterday.
The theme for this year’s World Drug Day commemorations is:The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention and according toMr. Njie, it underlined the importance of adopting a scientific evidence-based approach that places a premium on prevention, treatment and care, harm reduction, and alternative livelihood programs in finding solutions to the global drug issue.
He stated that his ministry will continue to support and promote initiatives geared towards promoting evidence-based prevention and treatment programs and activities.
“We call on civil society organizations, community-based organizations, youth groups, and all relevant stakeholders to complement government efforts and participate in drug prevention programs and activities,” said Minister Njie.
He explained that International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking is a day when anti-narcotic institutions and partners in the fight against drugs and related activities reflect on achievements made over the years, highlight challenges, educate and sensitize the public on the dangers of illicit drug trafficking and abuse as well as foster public support, cooperation and participation in the crusade on drugs and related activities.
“We must intensify efforts aimed at strengthening our supply suppression regimes. We must also integrate and prioritize person-centered drug demand reduction initiatives aimed at preventing the onset of drug abuse, providing treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), aftercare treatment-related services and alternative livelihood programs that will effectively respond to the drug problem and efficiently abate prevalence of the dealing, trafficking, and abuse of drugs,” he underlined.
“While we remain committed to promoting this year’s theme, we are equally determined to ensure that we dismantle any organized criminal network that may emerge in our jurisdiction.
We will deal with any such group without compromise to safeguard our society, especially the youth from misery and the sufferings caused by the use of illicit drugs,” the defenseminister stressed.
He stated that The Gambia, through the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) and relevant stakeholders, has over the years been proactively implementing drug demand reduction programs and activities such as weekly radio talk shows, school sensitization programs, community outreach initiatives, and capacity-building training to boost the capacity of youth, Civil Society Organizations and Community-based Organizations engaged in preventive drug demand reduction programs and activities.
He further revealed that DLEAG has been launching Drug-Free Clubs (DFCs) in several schools across the country.
On treatment and care, Minister Njie said DLEAG, with funding support from the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), collaborated with the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program (DAP) in rolling out a yearlong training on the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) also known as International Standards in Drug Treatment for relevant stakeholders such as the DLEAG, Ministry of Health – Psychiatric nurses, Department of Social Welfare, CSOs, JAIDTOC, religious leaders and two reformed drug addicts.
